A visit to the float builder for the flower parade in Lichtenvoorde

"Unbelievable!" - This was the phrase heard time and again during a group of German visitors' tour of the float-building workshops for the Lichtenvoorde Flower Parade. On the initiative of the Bocholt Adult Education Centre and EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt, the participants were given a behind-the-scenes look at some of the float-building teams for the Lichtenvoorde Flower Parade.

""They couldn't stop marvelling at it,"" report Laura Hendrixen and Herman ter Haar, who accompanied the guided tour. The visit took place as part of the German-Dutch Border Talks. "In this course, participants learn more about Dutch culture. A visit to the Corso is, of course, a perfect fit", explains Laura Hendrixen. She herself is a member of the Hooiland Corso group, where the guests were welcomed.

As group leader, Herman ter Haar is closely involved with "Buurten bij de Bouwers", a programme organised by the Corso that allows interested visitors to take a look behind the scenes during the preparation period. "Visitors to the Corso are always impressed by the huge floats. But when they stand in the hall and see just how much work and skill goes into them, they're even more impressed%, he explains.

Creative practice up close

The tour of the four Corso halls on Lievelderweg was the highlight of the visit. The guests were able to experience "first-hand" how the float builders from the Hooiland, Geschud(t), Boschkempers and Kwintet parade groups were welding, applying paper and working with metal. The view from the scaffolding surrounding the floats also gave a striking impression of the immense size of the parade floats.

Buurten bij de Bouwers

On Saturday 12 September, the day before the parade, it's all about "Buurten bij de Bouwers". That's when the so-called "Steckwochenende" takes place, explains Herman ter Haar. "The halls are then a hive of activity. More than four million dahlias are used on the 18 large parade floats. A massive task, which is carried out by a great many volunteers%$, he explains.

Tickets are still available for both "Buurten bij de Bouwers" and the flower parade on Sunday 13 September at bloemencorso.com.